-

“Checkmate.”

“You cheated!”

“I didn’t cheat, you were just thinking too loud.” Jeonghan grinned as Chan crossed his arms over his chest with a pout, glaring at the chessboard before them as he began recounting the moves he had made. “17 moves. You lasted longer than Seokmin, that’s for sure.” Jeonghan counted for him with an impatient nod of his head, standing up and stretching his hands over his head. Chan mumbled something incoherent before packing up their chess set and in a blink of an eye, zipped across their large common hall to keep it with the rest of their board games, Jeonghan watching fondly from his place near the window.

He then couldn’t help but chuckle as the youngest of their group zoomed towards Seokmin to relay to him the good news, leaving a trail of dust clouds in his wake as he usually did.

Super speed.

“It’s because he cheated! He always cheats!” Seokmin replied as Chan nodded his head in agreement, only to lose himself in the pretty movement of Seokmin’s flames now dancing around the younger one harmlessly.

Pyrokinesis.

“I see you already have our maknae wrapped around your finger. You’ll be just fine here now that you have Chan on your side.” Jeonghan turned to find a man walking towards him, a white hare in his arms and a friendly smile on his face. Jeonghan smiled back before shrugging his shoulders and petting the hare gently, watching it nuzzle against his hand in return. “I thought you were on the mission, Jisoo.” Jisoo shook his head before murmuring something into the hare’s ear, allowing it to jump out of his arms and out the door.

Animal manipulation.

“He seems to be the only one on my side.” Jeonghan said lightly after another moment of silence, his eyes trailing after the hare that sprinted towards the door and out the hall. Jisoo’s smile fell, only to have it come back up again, though much tighter than before. “We’re all on your side.” Jeonghan scoffed before digging his hands into his pockets.

It’s been a month since Jeonghan had been introduced as their newest member. A month since the league suffered from a heartbreaking loss, and a month since all 7 of them were together and a month since Jeonghan’s world changed completely. “I haven’t even met the rest of you, for all we know, they could hate me.” Jisoo rolled his eyes before shaking his head and pointing to the glass dome above them where three silhouettes zoomed past.

“Well we’ll just have to wait and see, then.”

It was safe to say, the jitters were consuming him.

Like he said, it’s been a month since he had joined their group, but that didn’t necesarilly mean he had gotten the opportunity to actually immerse himself. The front-liners were understandably busy. What with them training the newer recruits, saving cities from ultimate destruction and keeping the Sentinels from post traumatic stress, Jeonghan understood why he would only see but a whisper of them here and there.

Security verification and biometric scanning complete.

Hoshi, access granted.

But it seems now was the time to finally put a face to the name.

Jeonghan and Jisoo turned as the computer generated voice echoed throughout the hall, the main door opening to give way to a large and intimidating figure. It was at that moment that Jeonghan realized, no matter how many times he’s been briefed, all the pictures he’s seen during meetings, all the clips he’s watched online, it would all fall short of the actual experience of seeing the front-liners of the league up close.
Avian hybrid.

He was truly a sight to behold, large tawny colored wings stretching out behind him in what he could only describe as majestic, eyes a piercing gold and hair a striking white-blonde. The young man with eagle like wings scanned the hall before finally stopping at the sight of the two of them. Jeonghan stilled, waiting for some sort of aggression towards him before taking a step back as Hoshi unfurled his wings and took off, only to land before them with a large thud that nearly had Jeonghan flinching.

Nearly.

“Yo Josh! We’re back!” Hoshi grinned, clapping hands with Jisoo as he flapped his wings in excitement. His wings pulled closer to his back as Hoshi’s eyes sparkled with a mirth that took Jeonghan aback.

“It’s always good to see you guys back and all in one piece, Hosh.” Jisoo replied before turning to Jeonghan. “I don’t think you two have met.” Jeonghan only shook his head before turning to fully face Hoshi, who seemed to be observing him with a much more solemn expression.

So this is the replacement.

Jeonghan couldn’t help but narrow his eyes at Hoshi’s train of thought. “I can hear you, you know.” Jeonghan intoned, furrowing his brows slightly. The winged man looked taken aback for a moment, but not because of Jeonghan’s abilities, but moreso because he had the nerve to call him out. Hoshi raised a brow before allowing a slow smile to settle on his lips.

Again, unnerving.

“I know. We’ve all been briefed, Yoon Jeonghan.” He bowed slightly in a belated greeting before resting a friendly hand on his shoulder, much to Jeonghan’s surprise. “You’ll find out soon though, telepath, that your powers aren’t going to get you very far around here if you keep poking into people’s heads like that.” Hoshi said before chuckling, though not unkindly.

Woozi, access granted.

“Oh, I didn’t think he’d pass by.” Hoshi said with a raised brow as Jeonghan turned to greet the newcomer. He watched the door open, only to furrow his brow in confusion as none came. He turned to Jisoo, who in turn just smiled. “Where is h-“

“Oh no, he’s pretty.” Jeonghan jumped a good two inches off of the ground as he felt the slight tickle in his ear from a disembodied whisper. He snapped his head to the side before widening his eyes at the sight of the shadow beside Hoshi morphing into a young boy nearly a head shorter with light purple hair and eyes to match.

Shadowmancer.

“I didn’t think you’d pass by.” Hoshi repeated, completely unfazed as both him and Woozi stood before him. “I wanted to check out the replacement.” Woozi replied before walking up to Jeonghan, much to Jeonghan’s digress. He wrinkled his nose at the term, wanting to say something but honestly much to intimidated to do so. It was ridiculous considering that Woozi was nearly a whole head shorter than him and admittedly much too cute for someone to strike him as intimidating. Jeonghan, however, felt the power radiating off of the young man, he could feel the complexity of the man’s spirit, the inner-workings of his mind was just-

“Stop that.” Woozi snapped and all of a sudden, it was as if a wall had been thrown up, nearly knocking Jeonghan to the ground at the sharp turn of Woozi’s mind, directing him to a much emptier, blanker space.

“I told you not to poke into people’s minds.” Hoshi said with a raised brow as Woozi moved back to his place beside him, slipping his hand into Hoshi’s yet keeping his eyes on Jeonghan warily. “Don’t worry though, he’s much friendlier when he gets to know you.” Hoshi insisted, resulting to Woozi rolling his eyes. Jisoo chuckled as he watched the pair before turning to Jeonghan.

“You may call them Soonyoung and Jihoon respectively, I don’t think they’d mind.” He advised before laughing along with Soonyoung with regards to something Jihoon had said. Jeonghan nodded silently as he stood in unease.

It wasn’t easy being ‘the replacement’ as they now so fondly dubbed him. Despite the vigorous training he had gone through, all the theories he had studied, all the hoops he had jumped in order to be a part of them, nothing really could prepare you for the real thing. He didn’t know the full story as to what had happened, but before he had arrived, the league had already been established for years. The seven of them were the city’s own league of protectors rightfully called the Sentinels, and they served their community justly, keeping everyone safe from the dangers that the evils of this world wreaked upon the weak.

Seokmin, Jisoo and Dino were second stringers. Jeonghan had asked about the hierarchy one time, but found that they didn’t hold any resentment towards it. Jisoo had explained to him that they were also relatively new in comparison to the aforementioned front liners and he understood how sending all seven of them out onto the field would be less of an advantage to the league.

Sending the whole league out only happened during cases of absolute and dire need.

Soonyoung and Jihoon were two of the four original front-liners and have been in the league for as long as everyone could remember. They were both very unique in terms of their powers and served as the Alpha’s right and left hand men when it came to missions.

And the Alpha, well the Alpha was just a whole other story to begin with…

Alpha, access granted. All sentinels accounted for.

Choi Seungcheol, better known as Alpha, was the leader of the Sentinels and the first of the enhanced to join the league. Jeonghan didn’t know much about him, but all he knew was that he was the one most unsure about him joining the Sentinels.

A pregnant pause descended upon the whole room as the large metal doors slid open. Jeonghan’s breath hitched as he watched the figure enter the hall. Before him was a man that he couldn’t even find words to describe. His suit was a jet black save for the white symbol of the Sentinels on his chest, the tight material hugging his body in ways Jeonghan shouldn’t even be thinking about.

He shook his head before moving his gaze to their leader’s face. His jaw was set, his features chiseled so perfectly that Jeonghan resented the gods for having their most talented sculptors work on such a face. And his eyes… A deep onyx that spoke of storms and great winters. The energy radiating off of him nearly had Jeonghan falling to the floor. He clenched his hands into fists before feeling his throat tighten as those beautiful eyes met his, the strength of its storm made Jeonghan’s knees buckle at the intensity of his gaze. He watched as their leader regarded him in silence for a moment before a slow smirk settled on his lips.

Welcome to the team, rookie.

Choi Seungcheol. Telepath.

-

Jeonghan was pretty sure Seungcheol was avoiding him. Not even pretty sure, Jeonghan was almost positive that Seungcheol was avoiding him. After having found out that their leader was not only a Superman reincarnate, but a telepath as well, Jeonghan found himself at an absolute loss for words, leaving him to gape at him unattractively and watch him walk away.

-

“Nice one, hyung, totally smooth.” Chan called from his place by Seokmin, shooting Jeonghan a cheerful thumbs up as Seokmin muffled his laughter behind his hand. Jeonghan stammered slightly before turning to Jisoo, who only shook his head in amusement.

“I-I didn’t know he was-“

“A telepath? We keep it under the wraps for the most part.” Jihoon said with a wave of his hand before tugging Soonyoung towards where their leader had disappeared to. “We’ll see you all for dinner!” Soonyoung called back cheerily before following Jihoon out the door.

Jeonghan watched the two leave before turning to Jisoo, who in turn just shrugged his shoulders.

“If you ask me, I think he likes you.”

He was doomed.

-

That was a week ago. A whole week. And despite the fact that all of the Sentinels were now back in headquarters with no imminent threat requiring anyone’s immediate attention, Jeonghan still has yet to have a decent conversation with their leader.

Not that he wanted to have one, that is… But it was the least he could do considering they were now on the same team. Jeonghan watched the spoon float before him with a slight pout on his lips as he sulked over the circumstances.

And it doesn’t help that he’s ridiculously good looking either. him. him and his perfect jaw-line.

“Well, if you’re offering, I won’t be one to refuse something so generous.”

Jeonghan jumped out of the bar stool he had been occupying, the spoon he had been levitating now falling to the floor with a clatter as he turned to face the devil himself.

How the …? I would’ve been able to sense him but-

“There are a lot of things up our sleeves, rookie. Your tricks may work on everyone else, but us?” He bent down to pick up the spoon before holding it out for Jeonghan to take. “You’re going to have to work a bit harder.” There it was again, that stupid, handsome smirk that Jeonghan wanted to smack off.

He scowled before taking the spoon with a grunt, ignoring the heat in his neck and cheeks as he turned away, crossing his arms over his chest, but not before stealing a good eyeful of their proud leader.

He looked very different from the first time Jeonghan had seen him. Gone was the super suit that hugged his body ever so sinfully. Instead, he now wore a pair of ripped jeans and a simple black shirt, and despite it being nothing more than street-wear, Jeonghan hated to admit that it still made him look great.

Again. him.

He tensed before sneaking a peek once again, checking if Seungcheol had heard his thoughts.

Judging from the amused smile on his face, he did.

“It’s rude to read peoples minds without their permission.” Jeonghan pointed out. Seungcheol shrugged before digging his hands into his pockets. “Doesn’t seem to stop you from doing it.” He replied with a raised brow, and really, Jeonghan had to give that one to him.

“You’ve been avoiding me.” Jeonghan pointed out, causing Seungcheol to raise a brow in interest. “I have.” He admitted simply. Jeonghan frowned at his reply before biting the inside of his cheek. This man was really testing his patience. “Why?” Jeonghan continued to prod. Seungcheol regarded Jeonghan for a moment before taking a step forward. Jeonghan tensed, only to forcibly steel his spine as they stood but a foot away from each other. Seungcheol raised a hand before trapping a lock of Jeonghan’s long blue hair in between his fingers.

“Don’t worry. I’m over it.” He said before releasing the lock of hair, turning on his heel and walking away.

Jeonghan let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, leaning against the counter and running a hand through his hair, trying to forget about the different shades of brey in Seungcheol’s eyes or the smell of thunder and rain made him dizzy.

“You’re playing with fire you know.” Jeonghan grunted as Jihoon appeared from the shadows of their kitchen, a popsicle in his mouth, eyes trained on Jeonghan knowingly.

“More like a hurricane.” Jeonghan responded in dread.

-

AN: Part 2 will be out soon! 

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